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Review
. 2017 Mar;13(3):247-258.
doi: 10.1080/1744666X.2017.1232165. Epub 2016 Sep 13.

Kawasaki disease: etiopathogenesis and novel treatment strategies

Shreya Agarwal  1 , Devendra K Agrawal  1
Affiliations
Review

Kawasaki disease: etiopathogenesis and novel treatment strategies

Shreya Agarwal et al. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis that predominantly occurs in children below five years of age. Its etiopathogenesis is still not clear, but it is thought to be a complex interplay of genetic factors, infections and immunity. Areas covered: This review article discusses in detail Kawasaki disease, with particular emphasis on the recent updates on its pathogenesis and upcoming alternate treatment options. Though self-limiting in many cases, it can lead to severe complications like coronary artery aneurysms and thrombo-embolic occlusions, and hence requires early diagnosis and urgent attention to avoid them. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) with or without aspirin has remained the sole treatment option for these cases, but 10-15% cases develop resistance to this treatment. Expert commentary: There is a need to develop additional treatment strategies for children with Kawasaki disease. Targeting different steps of pathogenesis could provide us with alternate therapeutic options.

Keywords: Coronary artery aneurysm; Kawasaki disease; intravenous immunoglobulin; refractory Kawasaki disease; thrombo-embolic occlusion.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagrammatic depiction of the imbalance of the inflammatory markers in Kawasaki Disease. The pro-inflammatory markers are elevated along with downregulation of anti-inflammatory markers, leading to a state of inflammation and damage.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Multiple functions of IVIG in the treatment of Kawasaki disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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